Date Title & Details Speaker Listen Download
11/12/2023
Orienting on a Pathless Path

During the Mountains and Waters Wilderness Retreat, we spend time as a group learning to navigate and orient as we journey and explore. Orientation skills are helpful not only when we get turned around or confused about where we are; when we need to change direction and explore uncharted territory; or when we are traveling off trail; but also to be at ease with being part of what is wild and unconditioned. This talk shares themes related to Zen practice.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Mark Sosetsu Stauffer
11/08/2023
Foundational Teachings – 8

This annual class explores Buddhism’s foundational teachings, covering topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors.

Categories: Wednesday Classes

Daigai Filbert, Kyri Kengan Trieman
11/05/2023
Religion is Not Something for a Special Group of People

For Founders Day, Jiko talks about Keido Chisan, whose enlightened approach to Zen practice proved critical to the making of our temple today. On this day we pay homage to our most recent ancestors, even as we remember that each of us must find the path that is ours alone.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Sallie Jiko Tisdale
11/01/2023
Foundational Teachings – 7

This annual class explores Buddhism’s foundational teachings, covering topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors.

Categories: Wednesday Classes

Daigai Filbert, Shin’yu Vitells
10/22/2023
Relics

As we approach our annual Sejiki Sesshin, Genko looks at both karma and how we work with it and at those who have died in the past year and how these relics of the past remain part of our lives.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Genko Rainwater
10/18/2023
Foundational Teachings – 6

This annual class explores Buddhism’s foundational teachings, covering topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors.

Categories: Wednesday Classes

Daigai Filbert, Shin’yu Vitells
10/15/2023
Fall Sangha Forum

Twice a year, the sangha has an opportunity to hear from our governing bodies and to ask questions and give feedback. The Sangha Forum takes the place of a dharma talk. At the forum, the sangha has an opportunity to hear from our governing bodies and to ask questions and give feedback. The Board of Directors sponsors the fall forum, and gives updates. The Dharma Council also presents updates.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Daigai Filbert, Shin’yu Vitells
10/11/2023
Foundational Teachings – 5

This annual class explores Buddhism’s foundational teachings, covering topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors. Note: sound quality is poor due to interference, which has since been eliminated.

Categories: Wednesday Classes

Daigai Filbert, Shin’yu Vitells
10/08/2023
Realizing Emptiness Through Abundance

In this talk Flying Fish looks at the paramita of generosity as a gateway to awakening. The more we are able to let go the more we are able to connect to the tender heart of wisdom.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Flying Fish Murphy
10/04/2023
Foundational Teachings – 4

This annual class explores Buddhism’s foundational teachings, covering topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors.

Categories: Wednesday Classes

Daigai Filbert, Shin’yu Vitells
10/01/2023
Dharma Talk by Jyoshin

Categories: Dharma Talks

Jyoshin Clay
09/27/2023
Foundational Teachings – 3

This annual class explores Buddhism’s foundational teachings, covering topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors.

Categories: Wednesday Classes

Daigai Filbert, Shin’yu Vitells
09/24/2023
Readiness and Receiving

Kakumyo explores some themes from the Lotus Sutra and Dogen relating to our ability to absorb Dharma. Where do we find it, what gets in the way, and what does that tell us about reality? [Note: apologies for the poor quality of the recording.]

Categories: Dharma Talks

Kakumyo Lowe-Charde
09/20/2023
Foundational Teachings Class – 2

This annual class explores Buddhism’s foundational teachings, covering topics such as the Buddha’s life, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, the Paramitas and other aspirational practices, as well as contributions from some of our important Zen ancestors.

Categories: Wednesday Classes

Daigai Filbert, Shin’yu Vitells
09/17/2023
Don’t Worry

Categories: Dharma Talks

Sallie Jiko Tisdale
09/10/2023
The Three Tenets

The Three Tenets of the Zen Peacemaker’s Order are: Not Knowing, Bearing Witness, and Taking Action. We’ll look at the practice of sesshin through the lens of these three tenets.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Shin’yu Vitells
09/03/2023
Practicing Together

Sosetsu talks about two slogans – Practicing Together and Be a Good Ancestor – and a little about sports.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Mark Sosetsu Stauffer
08/27/2023
Term Opening

Jyoshin talks about forms: how we work with form and practice in a big-picture view. 

Categories: Dharma Talks

Jyoshin Clay
08/20/2023
Loving-Kindness and Trust

Trust is important in an ongoing Buddhist practice. However, fear and apprehension can sometimes interfere with its expression. Metta (lovingkindness) practice can disarm us and provide the sense of openness and safety needed for the arising of trust. Daigai reflects on the benefits of metta practice, particularly the connection between lovingkindness and the manifesting of trust.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Daigai Filbert
08/13/2023
Going Forward Is an Everyday Affair

This line in the Fukanzazengi, which we recite for our evening program, snagged my attention this week. What is going forward? What is an everyday affair? How do we live our everyday lives in such a way that we keep going forward?

Categories: Dharma Talks

Genko Rainwater
08/06/2023
Gathas

Flying Fish talks about Gatha practice.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Flying Fish Murphy
07/30/2023
Impermanence

Anicca, or Impermanence, looms large among our basic Buddhist teachings. It’s one of the three Marks of Existence and is intimately related to the Four Noble Truths. Impermanence seems pretty straightforward: everything changes. It’s pretty easy to intellectually accept that, but not so easy to wholeheartedly live it. Why do we struggle so hard to avoid impermanence? What are our often unconscious strategies for avoiding it? How can we engage with it? Who are we when we stop resisting impermanence?

Categories: Dharma Talks

Mike Gyoshi Kaplan
07/23/2023
Juniors and Seniors

It is said that a senior is a person wholly comfortable with being a junior. What does that mean? How does this simple designation of rank work in practice? What are the lessons each can give us?

Categories: Dharma Talks

Sallie Jiko Tisdale
07/16/2023
Post-Pilgrimage

Kakumyo shares some stories about the Pilgrimage that 12 people went on, and draws some lessons from it.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Kakumyo Lowe-Charde
07/09/2023
Pilgrimage

Twelve Dharma Rain members leave today (July 9) on Pilgrimage to visit several temples south of us. We are going to the Bay Area and back home, stopping along the way, and will be gone for a week. This Dharma Talk explores the topic of Pilgrimage: what is it, how does it relate to our lives, and how does it differ from other forms of travel?

Categories: Dharma Talks

Genko Rainwater
07/02/2023
A Rock in My Shoe

Categories: Dharma Talks

Jyoshin Clay
06/18/2023
The Poison Arrow

What does it mean to study our past? How do we both practice attention and presence in our life today, and understand wounds and conditions of the past?

Categories: Dharma Talks

Sallie Jiko Tisdale
06/11/2023
Maitreya and Hope

Flying Fish explores the theme of Hope by looking at Maitreya “of future birth.”

Categories: Dharma Talks

Flying Fish Murphy
06/04/2023
Coming Alive in Nature

In her student talk, Zonnyo explores the teaching of suchness in relation to nature, and some history of earth-based practices in Zen and Chan Buddhism. As we experience the climate crisis, what role do joy and grief play in our experience of “just this?”

Categories: Dharma Talks

Zonnyo Riger
05/31/2023
Sutra Study 7 – Lankavatara Sutra

Categories: Wednesday Classes

Kakumyo Lowe-Charde
05/24/2023
Sutra Study 6 – Diamond Sutra

Categories: Wednesday Classes

Jyoshin Clay
05/21/2023
Generosity, Vulnerability, and Belonging

Dana, often translated as giving or generosity, is one of the six perfections of Bodhisattva cultivation and embodiment. It is often described as a merit producing practice of giving that which is life sustaining, but can also be offering dharma or spiritual teaching, or providing freedom from fear. Ultimately, all beings are naturally giving through the unfolding of life, just like a flower blooming in spring provides nectar without thought. This talk will focus on how the capacity for generosity relates to practicing with vulnerability and how holding and befriending vulnerability when it arises can help one realize belonging.

Categories: Dharma Talks

Mark Sosetsu Stauffer
Date Title & Details Speaker Listen Download

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